Casey, Bass and Massey
Theophilus Bass [Parents] "Theo" was born on 2 Feb 1811 in Columbia, Murray Co., Tennessee, USA. He died on 11 Mar 1849 in Jefferson City, Missouri, USA. He married Mildred C. Shannon on 5 Nov 1840 in Forsyth,Missouri.
Theophilus Bass, was the first County-Circuit Clerk and Recorder of Taney County (now part of Stone County, Missouri), being appointed in 1837 by Governor Lilburn W. Boggs. Coming from a family with means, he was highly educated for one of that period, and was very industrious and had taken up the work of surverying. It was while surveying the "base line" with Nathaniel Boone (son of Daniel Boone) that he met, wooed and won Mildred Shannon, daughter of John David Shannon, of White River Township.
Theophilus Bass entered his land on White River (Missouri), just a little way from Forsyth, on August 23, 1845), comprising about 132 acres of Government land for which he paid $1,25 an acre, but turned in Government vouchers for surveyer`s services as payment. It was on both sides of the river and part of it became known and still is rememered as the Casey homestead (not related Caseys!). The land was sold to Levi Casey in April of 1848, for $1500 the year before Theophilus Bass died. Ill health may have been a factor in his selling this land for he was not quite forty years old.
Theophilus owned NW 1/4 on the West and the NE 1/4 on the East side of the White River, giving him a shore line of 1 3/4 miles on the west and 3/4 miles on the east side of the river, and which comprised the new Shepherd of the Hills Estates.
He lived on the south side of White River and held court at the mouth of Bull Creek. He was the sixth representative from Taney County to the 15th Gen. Assembly from Taney County, at Jefferson City, in 1848-49., and died while in office March 11th 1849. He was buried at Jefferson City, by Special Act of the Legislature and a tablet was erected to his memory.
The following is taken from the proceedings of the Session of 1848-49:
"An Act to pay funeral expenses of Hon. Theopolis Bass" Introduced and passed in the Senate march 12, 1849. Mr Mares introduced a Resolution in reference to the death of Theo. Bass, which were read, rules suspended and adopted. Mr. Hicks, introduced a Resolution autorizing George P. Bass (brother) to draw the pay which is due Theo. Bass, late member of Taney County, deceased. Adopted (House). House adopted an Act to pay funeral expenses. Senate adopted following Resolutions relating to the death of Theopolis Bass, and have also adopted House resolutions on the same subject. The House concurred in the Resolitions from the Senate in reference to the death of T.B.The inscription on the tablet in the Cemetery reads:
"Sacred to the memory of Theopolis Bass, late Representative from Taney County, Missouri, who was born in Columbia, Murray County, Tennesse, on the 2nd of February 1811, and died on the 11th of March 1949. Erected by an Act of the General Assembly".The Missouri Statesman, published at Columbia, Missouri, says on March 16th, 1849:
"Mr. Theopolis Bass, a member of the Legislature from Taney County, and who has been seriously ill during most of the Session, died on Saturday night last. Mr. Bass, was a son of Mr. Lawrence Bass of this County."In reading the preceedings of the latter part of this Session, Theopolis Bass, was absent for many days, unable to answer the roll call, but was reported from day to day as being sick and unable to atend the Sessions. At that day and age, distances were great, roads were bad, travel wa light, and news was carried slowly and largely from "mouth to mouth". Mrs. Bass, (or as she was known later, Grandma Nelson,) did not know anything of her husband`s death, until weeks later a horseman came riding to her doorway, leading another horse, and announced the death of Theopolis. The riderless hors was the one Theo. rode away to Jefferson City on, with saddle, saddle bags, clothing and gun etc.
Mildred C. Shannon [Parents] "Milly" was born on 17 Nov 1823 in White River Township. She died on 17 Jul 1906 in USA. She married Theophilus Bass on 5 Nov 1840 in Forsyth,Missouri.
Other marriages:Nelson, Samuel D.
A letter to Mrs. Mildred C. Bass,
Forsyth, Taney County, Missouri.Jefferson City, Jan. 3, 1849.
My Dear,
I have with pleasure taken my pen in hand to inform you that I have missed the chills for several days hoping that I am now entirely clear and remain so. I was taken with the chill on Friday after I left home and had them several days though the weather was so cold, sleeting and snowing on us all the way from Hancock`s here. I looked for noting else. I have not been up to Father`s yet. I expect to go up on Saturday nect. Brother Eli, was here last week. Our relations are well. Father strained his ankle and has been laid up with it for several weeks. James Harris, married Sabru Jackson, shortly after he returned from the south. I have an excellent place to board. There are seven of us together, Hancock, Neveas, Hicks, Cole, Hawkins, Sanders and myself, all good moral men. (Hancock was a Senator from the 21st District; the rest of the men were representatives, Neaves from Greene County, Hicks from Ozark County, Cole from Morgan County, Hawkins from Camden County and Sanders from Chariton County).
All of the members are complaining of colds and several are pretty sick. It is said that the cholera is in St. Louis and some of the members are very uneasy for fear it will get here and if it does, we will adjourn forthwith and go home. I am unable to say when the Legislature will adjourn, but I do think it will not be a long session. I am anxious to see you and the children. It would give me more pleasure to be with you and the children than all the luxury and splender here which I am surrounded. You will please wirte to me as it will be more pleasure to see a line from your hands than all the news I could receive from any other. You can write me and seal your leter and have it backed by some person to me. My dear, do not fail to wirte to me often, and I will do the same with you. Kiss the children for me, especially sweet little John and give all the news of the neighborhood. Do the best you can.
My dear, I remain
Your affectionate Husband,
Theo. Bass--------------------------------------------------------
Ozark County, Missouri, March 20th A.D. 1849.Mrs. Bass,
I inclose to you a few lines on my return home from Jefferson City which will inform you of the death of your husband. I can say to you that I was eye witness to all his sickness. We both roomed and bedded together until he got to low to be troubled. I waited on him through all his sickness which was 52 days with countinued feavour. His two brothers, George and Edward Bass, Pilee Dunkns wife and Wade Jackson was there nearly through all his sickness. He died on the 11th March the day before the Legislature broke.
I got an Act past the day we adjourned appropriating two hundred dollars to pay his funeral ecpenses and to erect a tomb over hus grave.
I also interduced a resolution and got it pst authorizing George P. Bass to draw his pay as a member from thre treasur which was $282.00. He is to settle off his bill both for Boarding and Doctor fees and account you for the remained. His beast was at his brothers and I think George Bass was to take charge of his clothing and return all to you as soon as he could conveanently. If you wish any further information you will please write to me.
Your Friend and well wisher in hast,
Robert Hicks
They had the following children:
F i Mary Catherine Bass Massey was born on 6 May 1843. She died on 10 Dec 1921. M ii James Theophilus Bass was born on 27 Aug 1844 in USA. He died in Killed at Wilder Creek.
Special body guard of Gen. Price.
Killed in action at Wilson Creek.F iii Nancy Elizabeth Bass Berry was born on 12 Feb 1845. She died on 25 Apr 1923. M iv John Shannon Bass was born on 26 May 1847. He died on 2 May 1939.
James H. Massey was born in Ireland. He died on 1 Mar 1864 in Stone Co., Missouri, USA. He married Martha Ellen Anderson on 2 Feb 0001.
Other marriages:Strickland, Faithful Elizabeth
Born in Ireland, where he spent his boyhood and attended school. When eighteen years of age he ran away from home and sailed on broad Atlantic toward the United States to seek his fortune. He first settled in Knox County, Tennessee, at the foot of the Cumberland Mountains, regarding whose picturesque inhabitants so much has been written, and in that locality he was married and made his home until the year 1832, when he made the tedious and somewhat hazardous overland trip to Greene county, Missouri, bringing his family in a primitive wagon, and thus the Masseys were among the earliest pioneers of this locality.
He secured a tract of land just east of what is now the thriving city of Springfield, but which was at that time an encampment of the Kickapoo Indians.
He set to work with a will, cleared, broke and fenced his land, erected a log cabin and by perseverance and hard work became very comfortably fixed in due course and time, and was a man of influence among the early frontiersmen, his neighbours being, however, very few and most of them some miles distant, untill more Tennesseeans followed him, the Fulbrights, the Freemans and others.
Although he devoted the major portion of his life to farming, he was a mechanic by trade and a skilled workman. He made the first separator, or "ground-hog" tresher, ever seen in this part of the country.
During the war of 1812, he enlisted in defense of his adopted country, gladly figting against the flag under which he was born, and for meritoruius conduct on the field of battle he was promoted from a private to a captain, and served with distinction throughout the war.
Politically he was first a Whig, then a Republican after that party was organized in the fifties.
His death occured on his farm here in 1863.
His first wife was Faithful Strickland, she bore him 13 children. Among them Nathaniel J., William, Mrs. Mc Adams, Mrs. Rountree. William was a quarter master in the Union Army during the Civil War.
His second wife, Martha Ellen Anderson, was a native of Tennessee, where she grew up and recieved a limited education. She lived to an advanced age, dying in Stone County, Missouri, in February 1899. To these parents nine children were born.Greene County, Missouri, History Book, pages 1927-29
Martha Ellen Anderson [Parents] was born in Tennessee. She died on 15 Feb 1894 in Stone County,Missouri,USA. She married James H. Massey on 2 Feb 0001.
Other marriages:Moore, James Marion Madison
Gentry, Allen Jr.
They had the following children:
F i Mary Ellen Massey was born on 4 Jan 1841. She died on 23 Oct 1871. M ii Marzavin V. Massey was born on 1 Jan 1843. He died USA. M iii Samuel C. Massey was born in 1847 in Greene Co., Missouri, USA. He died in USA. M iv Robert C. Massey was born on 12 Dec 1849. He died on 1 Jan 1918. F v Clarinda Clementine Massey was born on 4 Jan 1852. She died on 27 Jul 1950. M vi Richard Massey was born on 15 Sep 1857. M vii Robert M. Massey was born about 1859 in Greene Co., Missouri, USA. He died in USA. F viii Sarah Jane Massey was born on 2 Mar 1860. F ix Emma Massey was born in 1863. She died in 1933.
Lawrence Bass was born on 17 Nov 1780. He died on 27 May 1856 in Boone County,Missouri,Usa. He married Nn Patton.
One of the "Commissioners" to locate a "Seat of Justice" in Boone County, Missouri. A town company was formed and called the "Smithton Company" which bought a tract of land, surveyed and laid out the town of Columbia.
Nn Patton.Nn married Lawrence Bass.
They had the following children:
M i Theophilus Bass was born on 2 Feb 1811. He died on 11 Mar 1849. M ii Eli Edward Bass was born in USA. He died in USA.
Lived near Ashland, Boone County, Missouri.
Was considered the wealthiest man in Boone and neighbouring counties for a period of great many years. He owned a large estate and was an extensive stock breeder, and had 45 slaves who were quartered in twelwe cabins. He used his wealth and influence to good purpose and was very generous in his charities. He hired teachers from the east to teach his children, but he invited children of his neighbors and poor families to participate in his generosity.
Eli Bass was a member of "The Committee of Three" to contract and superintend the erection of the main edifice of the State University, and was one of the first Board of Curators by an Act of the General Assembly, February 11, 1839.
After his brother Theophilus died, Eli came to Taney County and took two of the children back to Boone County to educate them; Mary going to Howard-Payne College at Fayette, while John entered an Academy at Ashland.M iii George Patton Bass was born on 26 Dec 1805. He died on 22 Mar 1863.
Samuel D. Nelson was born on 29 Dec 1802. He died on 18 Apr 1863. He married Mildred C. Shannon.
Mildred C. Shannon [Parents] "Milly" was born on 17 Nov 1823 in White River Township. She died on 17 Jul 1906 in USA. She married Samuel D. Nelson.
Other marriages:Bass, Theophilus
A letter to Mrs. Mildred C. Bass,
Forsyth, Taney County, Missouri.Jefferson City, Jan. 3, 1849.
My Dear,
I have with pleasure taken my pen in hand to inform you that I have missed the chills for several days hoping that I am now entirely clear and remain so. I was taken with the chill on Friday after I left home and had them several days though the weather was so cold, sleeting and snowing on us all the way from Hancock`s here. I looked for noting else. I have not been up to Father`s yet. I expect to go up on Saturday nect. Brother Eli, was here last week. Our relations are well. Father strained his ankle and has been laid up with it for several weeks. James Harris, married Sabru Jackson, shortly after he returned from the south. I have an excellent place to board. There are seven of us together, Hancock, Neveas, Hicks, Cole, Hawkins, Sanders and myself, all good moral men. (Hancock was a Senator from the 21st District; the rest of the men were representatives, Neaves from Greene County, Hicks from Ozark County, Cole from Morgan County, Hawkins from Camden County and Sanders from Chariton County).
All of the members are complaining of colds and several are pretty sick. It is said that the cholera is in St. Louis and some of the members are very uneasy for fear it will get here and if it does, we will adjourn forthwith and go home. I am unable to say when the Legislature will adjourn, but I do think it will not be a long session. I am anxious to see you and the children. It would give me more pleasure to be with you and the children than all the luxury and splender here which I am surrounded. You will please wirte to me as it will be more pleasure to see a line from your hands than all the news I could receive from any other. You can write me and seal your leter and have it backed by some person to me. My dear, do not fail to wirte to me often, and I will do the same with you. Kiss the children for me, especially sweet little John and give all the news of the neighborhood. Do the best you can.
My dear, I remain
Your affectionate Husband,
Theo. Bass--------------------------------------------------------
Ozark County, Missouri, March 20th A.D. 1849.Mrs. Bass,
I inclose to you a few lines on my return home from Jefferson City which will inform you of the death of your husband. I can say to you that I was eye witness to all his sickness. We both roomed and bedded together until he got to low to be troubled. I waited on him through all his sickness which was 52 days with countinued feavour. His two brothers, George and Edward Bass, Pilee Dunkns wife and Wade Jackson was there nearly through all his sickness. He died on the 11th March the day before the Legislature broke.
I got an Act past the day we adjourned appropriating two hundred dollars to pay his funeral ecpenses and to erect a tomb over hus grave.
I also interduced a resolution and got it pst authorizing George P. Bass to draw his pay as a member from thre treasur which was $282.00. He is to settle off his bill both for Boarding and Doctor fees and account you for the remained. His beast was at his brothers and I think George Bass was to take charge of his clothing and return all to you as soon as he could conveanently. If you wish any further information you will please write to me.
Your Friend and well wisher in hast,
Robert Hicks
John David Shannon [Parents] was born on 16 Apr 1798 in Tennessee. He died on 12 Apr 1862 in White River Township. He was buried in Parsons Family Cemetery,Old Oto,Stone Co. Mo. He married Mary Goode on 25 Sep 1817 in Williamson Co.,Tn.
Washington, May, 1860
Letter to John D. Shannon from Washington National Monument Office:
Sir,
Agreeable to instructions, I have to request that you will act as Collector for the Society during the taking of the census in your district. Should you feel disposed to undertake the duty, and it be with the consent of the Marshal in your ditrict, a commission of fifteen per cent. will be allowed you out of the gross amount of your colections. You will also deduct the cost, from said collections, of a book necessary for the purpose, and make your returns and pay te nett amount collected to the Marshal of your district, who will account for and remit the same to the Society.
The enclosed instructions are sent for your guidance.
Very respectfully, your obediant servant,
John Carrol Brent,
Secretary.
Mary Goode [Parents] "Polly" was born on 26 Dec 1797 in Stokes Co.,Nc. She died on 3 Mar 1891 in Stone Co.,Mo. She was buried in Parsons Family Cemetery,Old Oto. She married John David Shannon on 25 Sep 1817 in Williamson Co.,Tn.
They had the following children:
F i Mildred C. Shannon was born on 17 Nov 1823. She died on 17 Jul 1906.
Francis Berry was born on 2 Jul 1842 in Stone County,Missouri,Usa. He died on 11 Feb 1913 in Holton,Kansas. He married Nancy Elizabeth Bass Berry on 11 Oct 1868.
Nancy Elizabeth Bass Berry [Parents] "Nannie" was born on 12 Feb 1845 in USA. She died on 25 Apr 1923 in USA. She married Francis Berry on 11 Oct 1868.
Nathaniel J. Massey [Parents] was born on 5 Apr 1818 in Greene Co., Missouri, USA. He died on 8 Apr 1869 in USA. He married Mary Catherine Bass Massey in 0002.
Other marriages:Ellison, Nancy
Mary Catherine Bass Massey [Parents] was born on 6 May 1843 in USA. She died on 10 Dec 1921 in USA. She married Nathaniel J. Massey in 0002.
Both Mary and her brother John were helped to education by their uncle Eli Bass. Both also married Massey (Nathaniel and Clarinda).
David Shannon was born in 1756. He married Jane McKnight.
Jane McKnight.Jane married David Shannon.
They had the following children:
M i John David Shannon was born on 16 Apr 1798. He died on 12 Apr 1862.
Charles B. Goode [Parents] was born in 1774 in Surry Co.,Nc. He died before 2 May 1835 in Rogersville,Lauderdale Co.,Al. He married Elizabeth Halbert on 29 Dec 1796 in Stokes County,Nc.
Elizabeth Halbert [Parents] was born about 1776 in Surry Co., NC, USA. She died about 1830 in Lauderdale Co., AL, USA. She married Charles B. Goode on 29 Dec 1796 in Stokes County,Nc.
They had the following children:
F i Mary Goode was born on 26 Dec 1797. She died on 3 Mar 1891.
James H. Massey was born in Ireland. He died on 1 Mar 1864 in Stone Co., Missouri, USA. He married Faithful Elizabeth Strickland in 0001.
Other marriages:Anderson, Martha Ellen
Born in Ireland, where he spent his boyhood and attended school. When eighteen years of age he ran away from home and sailed on broad Atlantic toward the United States to seek his fortune. He first settled in Knox County, Tennessee, at the foot of the Cumberland Mountains, regarding whose picturesque inhabitants so much has been written, and in that locality he was married and made his home until the year 1832, when he made the tedious and somewhat hazardous overland trip to Greene county, Missouri, bringing his family in a primitive wagon, and thus the Masseys were among the earliest pioneers of this locality.
He secured a tract of land just east of what is now the thriving city of Springfield, but which was at that time an encampment of the Kickapoo Indians.
He set to work with a will, cleared, broke and fenced his land, erected a log cabin and by perseverance and hard work became very comfortably fixed in due course and time, and was a man of influence among the early frontiersmen, his neighbours being, however, very few and most of them some miles distant, untill more Tennesseeans followed him, the Fulbrights, the Freemans and others.
Although he devoted the major portion of his life to farming, he was a mechanic by trade and a skilled workman. He made the first separator, or "ground-hog" tresher, ever seen in this part of the country.
During the war of 1812, he enlisted in defense of his adopted country, gladly figting against the flag under which he was born, and for meritoruius conduct on the field of battle he was promoted from a private to a captain, and served with distinction throughout the war.
Politically he was first a Whig, then a Republican after that party was organized in the fifties.
His death occured on his farm here in 1863.
His first wife was Faithful Strickland, she bore him 13 children. Among them Nathaniel J., William, Mrs. Mc Adams, Mrs. Rountree. William was a quarter master in the Union Army during the Civil War.
His second wife, Martha Ellen Anderson, was a native of Tennessee, where she grew up and recieved a limited education. She lived to an advanced age, dying in Stone County, Missouri, in February 1899. To these parents nine children were born.Greene County, Missouri, History Book, pages 1927-29
Faithful Elizabeth Strickland died in 1837 in Stone Co., Missouri, USA. She married James H. Massey in 0001.
They had the following children:
M i James H. Massey was born in 1810 in Greene Co., Missouri, USA. He died in USA. F ii Mary Jane Massey was born before 1815 in Greene Co., Missouri, USA. She died in USA. F iii Ephraim M. Massey was born before 1815 in Greene Co., Missouri, USA. She died in USA. M iv Nathaniel J. Massey was born on 5 Apr 1818. He died on 8 Apr 1869. F v Josephine Massey was born before 1820. F vi Elizabeth Massey was born in 1822. M vii William B. Massey was born on 19 Mar 1824 in Greene Co., Missouri, USA. He died in USA. F viii Nancy Margaret Massey was born in 1826 in Greene Co., Missouri, USA. She died in USA. F ix Hervey A. Massey was born in 1828 in Greene Co., Missouri, USA. She died in USA.
